An ellipsoidal void model for the evaluation of ductile fracture in sheet metal forming

A void model that can be used for the evaluation of ductile fracture in the simulation of sheet metal-forming processes is proposed. This void model is an extension of the Thomason model of void coalescence, which is based on the internal necking of the matrix between voids. In sheet metal-forming processes, the material is subjected to a complex strain path. Hence, the prestrain should be considered for the evaluation of ductile fracture in the simulation of sheet metal-forming processes. In the present paper, the prestrain is first introduced in the proposed void model. The simulation of the hole expansion test, which is a fundamental material test in sheet metal forming, is performed while paying special attention to the void configuration and the void shape. Finally, the validity of the proposed void model is confirmed by comparing the simulation results with the experimental results.